Capítulo 8: Chapter 8: The Path of Progress
Amidst the monotony of the academy lecture on Konoha's history, Kuma found himself drifting into a state of utter boredom. The teacher's voice droned on, blending with the background noise of scratching quills and shuffling papers. With a sigh, Kuma allowed his gaze to wander, his eyes scanning the familiar surroundings with a sense of detached disinterest.
As he idly observed the sky, a flash of movement caught his attention—a white snake slithering into a nearby drain. Ordinarily, such a sight wouldn't have given him pause, but today was different. Maybe it was the stifling boredom of the lecture, or perhaps it was the nagging curiosity that always seemed to lurk just beneath the surface of his thoughts. Whatever the reason, Kuma found himself entertaining a wild idea: What if that snake was somehow connected to Orochimaru?
The notion seemed ludicrous, even to him. After all, it was just a random snake in the middle of nowhere, but just what-if... And so, Kuma continued to watch the drain, his imagination began to take flight, weaving fantastical scenarios of secret base of the legendary Sanin Orochimaru.
With a shake of his head, Kuma forced himself back to reality. "Get a grip, Kuma," he muttered under his breath, reaching for his notebook and hastily scribbling down the location of the drain. It was a habit he had developed over the years, recording anything out of the ordinary that caught his attention. Who knew? It might come in handy someday.
As the academy lecture finally drew to a close, Kuma felt a surge of relief wash over him. Ignoring the curious glances of his classmates, he packed up his belongings and slipped out of the classroom, his mind already drifting to thoughts of training.
"Training grounds it is," Kuma muttered to himself, his steps quickening with purpose. The prospect of honing his skills and pushing his limits was infinitely more appealing than entertaining wild theories about white snakes and legendary ninja. Especially with the potential dangers behind it.
And so, as the day faded into evening, Kuma threw himself into his training with renewed vigor.
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The next day, Kuma arrived at the training ground with a sense of anticipation, his mind buzzing with excitement at the prospect of training with Shisui once again. As he waited patiently, the minutes stretched into what felt like an eternity until finally, he spotted Shisui's familiar figure approaching in the distance.
With a quickening of his pulse, Kuma rose to his feet, his gaze fixed on Shisui as he drew closer. As the older ninja came to a halt before him, Kuma felt a surge of nervous energy coursing through his veins, mingled with a determination to make the most of this opportunity.
Shisui regarded him with a knowing smile, his eyes reflecting a mixture of amusement and curiosity. "Well, well, if it isn't Kuma," he remarked, his voice carrying a hint of playful mockery. "Back for more, are we?"
Kuma returned Shisui's smile with a determined nod. "Absolutely," he replied, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "I'm ready to learn whatever you're willing to teach me."
Shisui's smile widened at Kuma's eagerness, and he nodded approvingly. "Good," he said, his tone taking on a more serious note. "Let's get down to business, shall we?"
Leaning in closer, Shisui lowered his voice, as if sharing a secret between the two of them. "I have two options for you today, Kuma," he began, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "First, I can teach you taijutsu—a foundation of close-quarters combat that every ninja should master. We'll start with the basics and work our way up to more advanced techniques. And then, once you've got the hang of it, I'll teach you a D-rank jutsu to round out your skill set."
Kuma's interest was piqued by the prospect of mastering taijutsu, but he couldn't help but wonder about the second option Shisui had mentioned. "And the other option?" he asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Shisui chuckled softly, as if he had been expecting the question. "The other option," he replied, his voice tinged with excitement, "is focused on honing your skills with the Academy 3 together with shurikenjutsu and kenjutsu. We'll start with the basics of throwing shuriken and wielding a blade, and then we'll move on to more advanced techniques. It's a different approach from taijutsu, but equally important for a well-rounded ninja."
Kuma considered his options carefully, weighing the benefits of each path. On one hand, taijutsu offered a solid foundation for combat, while on the other hand, shurikenjutsu and kenjutsu promised to enhance his skills with weapons—a valuable asset in any ninja's arsenal. Not to mention the 3 Academy jutsu's as a treat.
Sure at higher levels kenjutsu isn't that appealing but kuma had enough faith in himself to go for it, especially since kenjutsu would take time in which he could hopefully convince the Shunshin no Shisui to teach him body flicker, as for canon? What was that? Could he eat it?
With a nod of agreement, Shisui began the training session by focusing on one of the fundamental techniques taught at the academy—the Clone Jutsu. Positioning themselves in an open area of the training ground, Shisui instructed Kuma to observe carefully as he demonstrated the hand seals and chakra control necessary to execute the technique.
"Watch closely, Kuma," Shisui said, his movements fluid and precise as he performed the intricate sequence of hand seals. "The Clone Jutsu is all about creating a convincing illusion of yourself, one that can distract your opponent or provide support in battle."
Kuma observed intently, his eyes following Shisui's every move as he mimicked the hand seals to the best of his ability. Despite his initial enthusiasm, he found the process more challenging than he had anticipated, struggling to synchronize his movements and channel his chakra with the same level of finesse as Shisui.
Undeterred by Kuma's initial difficulties, Shisui offered words of encouragement and guidance, patiently correcting his form and offering tips to improve his chakra control. With each attempt, Kuma could feel himself growing more attuned to the flow of energy within him, slowly but surely gaining a better grasp of the technique.
After several rounds of practice, Kuma finally managed to produce a semblance of a clone—a faint, translucent figure that wavered unsteadily before dispersing into thin air. Despite its imperfections, the sight filled Kuma with a sense of accomplishment, a tangible sign of progress on his journey to becoming a skilled ninja.
"Well done, Kuma," Shisui praised, his voice laced with genuine pride. "Creating a clone may seem simple, but it requires precise control over your chakra and a keen understanding of your own limitations. You've made excellent progress today."
Grateful for Shisui's guidance and encouragement, Kuma nodded in appreciation, a sense of determination burning brightly within him. He knew that mastering the Clone Jutsu was only the first step on his path to becoming a formidable ninja, but with Shisui's mentorship and support, he felt more confident than ever in his ability to overcome any challenge that lay ahead.
As the training session drew to a close, Shisui couldn't shake the feeling of intrigue that had settled in the back of his mind. Observing Kuma's progress with the Clone Jutsu, he couldn't help but marvel at Kuma's potential, his chakra capacity far surpassing Shisui's initial expectations for a normal civilian.
Lost in thought, Shisui mulled over the idea of putting Kuma's abilities to the test through a spar. While he had initially planned to conclude the day's training after teaching the Clone Jutsu, he couldn't deny the lingering curiosity that tugged at him, urging him to delve deeper into Kuma's capabilities.
"Kuma," Shisui called out, his voice carrying a note of determination. "Before we wrap up for the day, I have one more challenge for you. How about we put your skills to the test with a little spar?"
Kuma's eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected proposition, his initial excitement tempered by a flicker of uncertainty. While he was eager to put his training to the test, the prospect of facing off against Shisui—a skilled ninja with years of experience—was undeniably daunting.
"Are you sure about this, Shisui-senpai?" Kuma asked, his tone tinged with a hint of apprehension. "I mean, I'm still just a student, and you're... well, you're Shisui-senpai."
Shisui chuckled at Kuma's hesitance, offering a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Kuma. Think of it as a test to show me all you have. Besides, I have faith in your abilities. I'll be using similar strength as you, and I believe you're more than capable of holding your own in a friendly spar."
Encouraged by Shisui's vote of confidence, Kuma nodded in agreement, steeling himself for the challenge ahead. With a sense of determination coursing through his veins, he squared his shoulders and adopted a ready stance.
Kuma launched himself forward, his movements swift and purposeful as he unleashed a flurry of attacks upon Shisui. Feinting to the left, Kuma pivoted sharply and delivered a swift roundhouse kick aimed at Shisui's midsection. However, Shisui anticipated the move, seamlessly sidestepping the attack and countering with a swift jab to Kuma's exposed flank. The force of the blow sent Kuma staggering backward, his breath catching in his throat as he fought to regain his composure.
"Nice try, Kuma," Shisui remarked, his voice laced with a hint of amusement. "But you'll have to do better than that to catch me off guard."
Gritting his teeth in frustration, Kuma adjusted his strategy, with a burst of speed, he closed the distance between them and unleashed a rapid series of punches and kicks.
Shisui met each strike with effortless grace, his body fluidly evading Kuma's blows with precise movements reminiscent of a seasoned dancer. With each deflection, Shisui offered gentle guidance, his voice a steady presence amid the chaos of their clash.
"Focus your strikes, Kuma," Shisui advised, his words carrying a hint of encouragement. "Precision is key. You're telegraphing your moves too much. Try to keep your opponent guessing."
Undeterred by Shisui's critiques, Kuma pressed on, his determination fueling his relentless assault. However, as the exchange wore on, cracks began to form in Kuma's technique, his movements growing increasingly predictable with each passing moment.
With a keen eye for opportunity, Shisui capitalized on Kuma's lapses in judgment, exploiting openings in his defense with calculated precision. Each flaw in Kuma's attacks served as a lesson in humility, a reminder of the importance of adaptability and strategy on the battlefield.
"Your strikes lack conviction, Kuma," Shisui remarked, his voice tinged with a hint of disappointment. "You need to commit to your attacks fully. Hesitation is your greatest enemy in battle."
Grinding his teeth in frustration, Kuma redoubled his efforts, his determination burning brighter with each failed attempt. With a renewed sense of focus, he adjusted his tactics, channeling his chakra with newfound intensity as he sought to break through Shisui's defenses.
Their clash intensified, the training ground becoming a whirlwind of motion and sound as Shisui and Kuma danced the delicate dance of combat. With each passing moment, Kuma's movements grew sharper, his strikes more calculated as he absorbed Shisui's teachings and applied them in real-time.
And then, in a burst of inspiration, Kuma seized upon an opening, his movements fluid and decisive as he launched a powerful strike aimed directly at Shisui's flank. For a brief moment, victory seemed within his grasp, the thrill of success coursing through his veins.
But in the blink of an eye, Shisui countered, his response swift and decisive as he effortlessly deflected Kuma's attack with a well-placed counter.
As Kuma caught his breath, a sudden gust of wind signaled Shisui's approach. Before Kuma could react, Shisui unleashed a final, lightning-quick kick that caught him off guard, sending him sprawling to the ground. Stunned, Kuma lay there for a moment, his mind reeling from the unexpected blow.
"What... how?," Kuma asked surprised, a mixture of admiration and frustration evident in his voice.
Shisui offered a hand to help Kuma up, his expression a mix of pride and camaraderie. "You're getting better, Kuma," he remarked, his tone genuine. "But don't let your guard down. There's always room for improvement."
Grateful for the encouragement, Kuma accepted Shisui's help and pulled himself to his feet, his muscles protesting with every movement. As they dusted themselves off, Shisui glanced at Kuma with a knowing smile.
"Same time, three days from now," Shisui said, his voice carrying a note of anticipation. "I'll teach you some new techniques. Be ready."
With a nod of agreement, Kuma watched as Shisui made his way across the training ground, his figure disappearing into the gathering dusk. And as Kuma turned to leave, a sense of determination burned within him, fueled by the promise of growth.
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